Theatrical trunk



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. G. BEATTIB. THEATRIOALTRUNK.

No. 592,748. Patented Oct. 26,1897.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.) F. C. BEATTIE.

THEATRIGAL TRUNK.

Patented Oct. 26, 1897.

(No Model.) I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

F. GQBEATTIE. THEATRIGAL TRUNK.

No. 592,748. Patented Oct. 26, 1897.

Unites STA-res PATENT FFICE.

TH EATRICAL TRUNK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 592,748, dated October 26, 1897. Application filed-May 14, 1897. Serial No. 636,454. (No model.)

Q'b all whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, FRANK O. BEATTIE, of Chicago, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Theatrical Trunks, of which the following is a specification. 1

. This invention relates to trunks, its object being to provide a structure of such charac-" ter that when the trunk is opened and properly adjusted access may be easily had to all of the trays and compartments of the trunk at the same time, while the floor-space required remains the same as when the trunk is closed, thus particularly adapting the trunk for theatrical use or under similar circumstances where a minimum of floor-space is available.

To these ends the invention consists in certain novel features which will be hereinafter described, and thenparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trunk embodying my invention, the same being shown open and the tray-supporting frame partially lifted or in its intermediate position. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the top removed, the

frame and trays being in a lowered position.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation showing, the parts closed and the trunk proper in section. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the trays anditheir. Fig. 5 is a view showing.

supporting-frame. the trunk-body in section and'the trays and their supporting-frame partly lifted and in elevation. Fig. 6 is an end view, partly in section, showing the tray-supporting frame and trays in their fully-liftedor highest position. 1

In the said drawings, Aindicatesthe body of the trunk, and A the top thereof, these parts being of any approved construction.-

B indicates a tray-supporting frame fitting and vertically movable within the body of the trunk. This frame is preferably constructed in the manner shown, consisting of four uprights 'b at the corners of the frame connected by suitable cross-pieces b at the back and ends and a single cross-piece b at the front, with the exception of which the front is open and unobstructed. Suitable ways a may be provided in the trunk-body to receive and guide the frame B by means of its uprights b, and near each end of the trunk- *D and an upper tray E.

cross-piece 1).

body there may be located a partition a, between which and the ends of the trunk recesses a are thus formed, which receive the ends of the frame B when this latter is lowered.

The frame B is supported in its raised or partially raised position by means of catches C, hingedto'the lower end cross-pieces b and normally projecting outward in the position shown in Figs. 4: and 5 by reason of the weight of theiarms C, by which they are operated.

These arms are connected by cords, wires, or

other flexible connections, 0 with rods 0 mounted to slide vertically in the upper end cross-pieces b of the frame B. Each rod C is provided at its upper end With a loop or handle 0, located within a recess 0 in the cross-piece I). The catches C are adapted to engage withthe upper edge of the trunkbody," as shown in Fig. '6, when the frame B is fully raised, and there are provided notches vor recesses a in the ends of the trunk-body, with which said catches may engage to sup- }port the frame in the position shown in Figs.

1 and 5.

The frame B serves to support a lower tray The lower tray D is shown supported on cleats d on the frame 113-, its rear abutting against the lower rear cross-piece b, and said tray D may be tilted oriraised into the position shown in Fig. 6, for the purpose hereinafter set forth, and there held by means of a turn-button d on the front cross-piece W.

T he-upper tray E is supported in the lowered positionshown in Figs. 1, 3, and 5 by means of lugs e at the lower front, which rest upon the front cross-piece b and lugs e at its rear edge, which rest upon the upper rear For supporting the tray E in the raised position shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 6 supports F are employed, hinged to the ends of the frame B and adapted to be folded down on top of the tray E in the manner shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5, when said tray is in its lowered position, and which may be raised into the upright position shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 6 to receive said tray between them. Rods G, hinged to the supports F and projecting normally inward toward each other, receive and support the tray E when these partsare raised, and said rods G may be swung upward and outward to permit the lowering of said tray by means of cords or other flexible connections 9 to bell-crank levers G on the supports F. Catches g are provided to hold the levers G and rods Gin this latterposition.

hen the various parts of the trunk are in the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a compact trunk is obtained, with ample storagespace in the trunk-body and upper and lower trays. When the frame Bis raised to the position shown in Fig. 6 and the upper tray E also raised as there shown, access may be had to all three of the compartments of the trunk 1'. 6., the body and the two trays-at the same time and each is independently accessible without disturbing or moving the others. Moreover, the floor-space occupied by the trunk and its trays remains the san1e,whether the trunk be closed or opened to its full extent to make every part accessible, thus particularly adapting it for use in contracted quarters, such as theatrical dressing-rooms.

In case it should be necessary the tray D may be tilted up into the position shown in Fig. 0 to give increased facility of access to the body of the trunk, and in case access to this latter space is not desired the frame B may be held in the partly-lifted or intermediate position shown in Fig. 1 to give access to the trays only. The frame B may be readily lowered to close the trunk by grasping it at the ends by means of the recesses c for that purpose, at the same time pulling up on the loops or handles 0, thereby drawing in the catches O and permitting the frame to be lowered into the trunk.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that my invention affords a theatrical trunk having not onlya large storage capacity in which convenient access is afforded to all portions thereof, but that by reason of the peculiar construction the trunk itself may be made to serve as a dressing-ease for its owner. Thus the sliding frame being of the same height as the depth of the trunk and vertieally adjustable through its full height the upper tray is elevated to double the height of the trunk and then by throwing up the hinged extensions or supports carried by the frame the upper tray may be still further elevated, thus, as shown in Fig. (3, being raised to an elevation in excess of twice the depth of the trunk and above the lid thereof when open. In this position the upper tray may be used to support the mirror, make-up box, and other accessories, and its several compartments brought into convenient position for use.

In addition to the adjustable features above particularly described provision is further made for removing the lower tray and for tilting both of the trays into inclined positions, so that while the trunk has all of the features common to the ordinary trunk it has the numerous added features and conveniences above particularly described. Furthermore, it will be seen that the entire frame with its trays may be removed from the trunk and replaced therein at pleasure, thus facilitating the packing of the storage-compartments of the trunk itself and cleaning the trunk and packing or unpacking of its trays.

I claim-- 1. A trunk having a body storage-compartment and two trays in combination with a supporting-frame for said trays vertically adj ustable and laterally guided, so as to prevent lateral displacement relatively to said body, whereby the lower tray may be supported above the trunk-body so that access may be had to the interior of said body and means for supporting the upper tray above the lower tray so as to provide an intermediate space to give access to the lower tray, said frame and trays being supported and adjusted within the planes of the side walls of the trunkbody and being adapted to belowered and inclosed within the trunk-body, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the trunk-body and trays and the tray-supporting frame vertically adjustable therein, of supports hinged to the ends of the frame, tray-supporting rods hinged to the supports and adapted to receive the upper tray, crank-levers mounted on the supports and flexibly connected with the supporting-rods to operate the same, and catches to lock the crank-lever, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a trunk-body, of a tray-frame vertically adjustable Within the planes of the side walls of the trunk-body having an intermediate fixed tray-support and a hinged tray-support whereby said frame may be raised to carry its intermediate tray above the top of the trunk and to support a second tray above the top of said frame, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a trunk-body, of a tray-supporting frame vertically adjustable therein, said frame having hinged cross-bars at its ends adapted to engage the top edge of the trunk-body, bails hinged thereto and means for operating said bails, whereby said cross-bars are adapted to engage by gravity and may be withdrawn by said bails and conneetions to permit the trunk to be lowered, substantially as described.

FRANK C. BEATTIE. lVitnesses:

FREDERICK O. Goonwnv, G. I. IIARBRIDGE. 

